The devil uses the four Ds to ensnare:
1. Deception. Lies. Whispered and believed.
2. Division. Separation from others and God.
3. Diversion. Onto other addictions or useless, destructive activities.
4. Discouragement. This feeds back into 1.
To kick-start oneself back on track:
- Admit, to God, one's abject hopelessness.
- Affirm, to God, one's trust in God.
- Ask God for direction and strength in all things.
- Commit to taking the action indicated.
- Write an inventory on the present state of mind and conduct.
- Read it out to five people.
- Make a list (maybe ten items) of things to do differently (some internal and some external).
For the inventory, maybe pick this. Any list of character defects is good. It avoids the need for inspiration.
Read down the list, and mark up anything that scores a direct hit. Don't fuss or dither. Each item either rings true or it doesn't. You'll know which ones are important. With each hit, write out one example of how that defect is manifesting.
Cap the exercise at one hour.